On record pace

Clemson’s senior class is on a record pace. A victory Saturday night at No. 17 Boston College would be the 50th for the senior class since 2015, which would the school and Atlantic Coast Conference record for victories by a senior class. A win also would give Clemson an eighth consecutive season with 10 or more victories, which would extend the program record and also match Miami and Virginia Tech for the fourth-longest streak of 10-win seasons in FBS history.

All about the run

Clemson will face the ACC’s leading rusher in AJ Dillon, and their success in that regard will loom large in the outcome. But consider this: Clemson has the league’s second-leading rusher in sophomore Travis Etienne, so there will be a large burden on the Boston College defense as well. Remarkably, Clemson ranks No. 1 in the nation in rushing yards per carry (6.94) while also ranking No. 1 in fewest rushing yards allowed per carry (2.24). Something will have to give. Clemson also is the only school in the nation to have three players in the Top 10 in rushing yards per carry in the FBS – Lyn-J Dixon (11.15), Etienne (8.60) and Adam Choice (7.87).

Atlantic ownership

A victory against Boston College would clinch Clemson’s fourth consecutive ACC Atlantic Division title, which would elevate the Tigers to rare air. If Clemson wins, the Tigers would be the first ACC team to win four straight division titles since the league went to divisional play in 2005. Clemson already is one of only two Power 5 Conference schools to have an active streak of three consecutive conference championships (Oklahoma is the other) and a win would put them in prime position to claim a fourth straight ACC title.

Solid defenses

Both defense should provide some exciting moments, and Clemson’s defense is rivaling some of the best in school history. The Tigers lead the ACC in scoring defense (13.3 ppg.), rushing defense (90.4 ypg.) and sacks (32). The Boston College defense trails only Clemson in sacks (28) and leads the league with 14 interceptions. Eagles linebacker Connor Strachan is eighth in the ACC with an average of 8.2 tackles per game while teammate Zach Allen ranks fifth in the ACC with 12.5 tackles for loss, one spot ahead of Clemson’s Clelin Ferrell and his 12 tackles for loss.

Travis on track

Clemson running back Travis Etienne enters the game with 998 yards rushing this season – just two yards shy of becoming the 21st player in Clemson history to rush for 1,000 yards or more in a season. The sophomore also has 15 rushing touchdowns and needs only two to match Travis Zachery’s school-record of 17 in a single season. Etienne also already ranks eighth on Clemson’s career touchdown list with 29 and second in single-season rushing average per game at 110.9. He already ranks first in school history with an average of 7.91 yards per carry.